by Democrat reporter
James Fraser has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to tourism and heritage in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.The 71-year-old, pictured right, who probably deserved a knighthood in the King’s honours list for his extensive work promoting tourism in Scotland, was the former chairman of the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs charity for 13 years.
He was the chief executive of the national park’s tourist board for over two and a half decades.
Mr Fraser says the BEM should highlight a wider recognition of the hundreds of people – staff, volunteers, businesses, tourist information centres and charities – employed by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
He said: “It is good to see some recognition coming the way of the people involved in the work of the national park. These people genuinely want to make a difference in and around the national park because there is a lot of effort going into preserving it.”
Mr Fraser transformed the viability of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust, securing the future of the iconic Loch Katrine attraction and its historic screw steamer.
He stabilised the fragile finances by diversifying income streams, introducing eco-pods, and upgrading facilities, making the site attractive to a new generation of visitors.
He also led the ‘Save Our Steamship Appeal’, which successfully raised £850,000 during the Covid pandemic to fund the vessel’s restoration, enabling its return to service in 2023.
Top of the page picture is of the Loch Katrine steamer Sir Walter Scott, which was saved by the work of James Fraser.